Inside the arena, Delhi Dynamos faced Northeast United in their first home game of the third season of Indian Super League. Outside, within the premises of the complex, a food festival had erected its tent. Food here, football there; true ingredients of both unknown.

“Delhi kaunsa colour hain?” a youngster crossed over to the media section to enquire. Having been informed, he got back to his seat happy. Now he knows when to cheer. This despite the social media overdrive Dynamos have been on recently, and this being the third season of the league. A food for thought. The sizeable support NorthEast United get here, however, meant this chap represented a minority.

On the field, NEUFC’s Nicolas Velez and Katsumi Yusa ensured the visitors kept their fans entertained.

It was Dynamos who opened the scoring, Kean Lewis ensuring the space he was accorded with during a corner did not go waste. That the first ended 1-0 in favour of Dynamos, however, has got to do with the referee as well. He was too lenient on fouls.

Dynamos, however, pressured high in the second half. They also brought on Florent Malouda in the half, that old wine in a three-year old bottle.

NEUFC got their deserved equalizer in the 51st minute though, with Emiliano Alfaro drilling the ball in after his first attempt came off a defender. 1-1 and everyone left content.